A Border Force vessel rescuing migrants from a small inflatable boat.
Share this @internewscast.com

While Keir Starmer introduced his fresh agreement on managing small boats, I witnessed in disbelief, alongside Nigel Farage, as the French transferred 78 migrants to the UK Border Force in the middle of the Channel.

The French even demanded their life jackets back for the next batch of illegal migrants heading to Britain.

A Border Force vessel rescuing migrants from a small inflatable boat.
Migrants board the UK Border Force boat in the Channel
Migrants in a small boat being rescued by a Border Force vessel.
78 migrants picked up by UK Border Force in the middle of the Channel on Thursday
Sophia Sleigh and Nigel Farage on a boat.
Sophia Sleigh with Farage todayCredit: Stuart Mitchell

A state-facilitated crime was unfolding before my very eyes.

Nothing prepared me for this spectacle in the heart of the English Channel.

We set off from Dover on a small fishing boat with Nigel around 5am. 

Overhead we could hear the buzz of a drone used to monitor the dangerous small boat crossings. 

Soon we spotted a French Navy ship on the horizon chaperoning a migrant dinghy towards international waters.

Using binoculars we could see it was packed with men, feet hanging over the side dragging in the water. 

Reports came in that there was one woman and three children aboard.

Behind us a UK Border Force boat emblazoned with the Union Jack raced to the edge of British waters to wait for the French to bring the boat to them.

A rescue boat assisting migrants at sea.
Migrants picked up by UK Border Force the day Sir Keir unveiled his boats plan

The precarious migrant dinghy was soon bobbing within around 250 metres in front of us. French on one side, Brits on the other.

What we saw next undermined any claims of “stopping the boats”.

Suddenly a French rib boat sped over to the dinghy. 

We worried that the migrants were in trouble.

Shockingly it transpired that the French were asking for 40 life jackets back which had been lent to the migrants earlier in the journey. 

They wanted the equipment back before the migrants crossed into UK waters.

Man in sunglasses gesturing on a boat at sea.
Nigel Farage in the Channel on Thursday

Our crew, listening in on their radio, said they had never seen anything like it before.

Usually the French ask for their life jackets back after the migrants have been brought to Dover.

Clearly they were expecting hundreds more to attempt to get to Britain in the warm weather and low winds.

After this, two British rib boats were sent out to help the migrants towards the much larger UK Border Force boat.

As they tried to get off the boat we could hear the migrants shouting up to the crew.

Even after the scramble was over there was still more work to do. 

A British boat had been sent to collect the empty rubber dinghy. 

The handover of migrants in the English Channel was both seamless and shameful.

In around 15 minutes it was all over.

At one point our crew was warned by the French Navy to back off. No-one wants the public to see this. 

It is one of the reasons why the boats are picked up in the middle of the Channel instead of allowing them to land on beaches. 

What I saw on Thursday was less stop the boats and more carry on migrating.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'King of the Hill' Revival': Hank and Peggy return after 15 years to a changed Arlen in season 14 first look - see trailer

“King of the Hill Returns: Hank and Peggy Re-emerge in a Transformed Arlen After 15 Years – Watch the Season 14 Trailer”

Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Texas, and a new…
Police searching for man who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old son in east Alabama

Authorities Seek Man Accused of Abducting His 3-Year-Old Son in East Alabama

AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) — Auburn police announced that they are searching for…
America's 'most hated mom,' Casey Anthony, spotted on apparent date at sports bar

Casey Anthony Seen on Outing at Local Sports Bar: Reports

New images show “America’s most hated mom,” Casey Anthony, out on what…
NWS faces vacancies in Florida offices as 2025 hurricane season ramps up

NWS Struggles with Florida Office Vacancies as 2025 Hurricane Season Intensifies

Tom Fahy, the Legislative Director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization,…
Chicago's 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. wants son to replace him in City Council after retirement, drawing criticism

Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. faces backlash for proposing his son as successor in City Council’s 27th Ward after retirement

The longest-tenured member of the Chicago City Council is stepping down at…
Bikini-clad Sofía Vergara celebrates 53rd birthday in Sardinia

Sofía Vergara Marks Her 53rd Birthday in Sardinia in a Bikini

Buon compleanno! Sofía Vergara celebrated her 53rd birthday in a white bikini…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Aaron Judge’s game-ending sac fly leads Yankees to stunning comeback win over Mariners

Aaron Judge’s Sacrifice Fly Seals Yankees’ Thrilling Comeback Victory Against Mariners

The Yankees avoided being on the wrong side of history and then…

Ashley Biden Defends Former President Soon After Doctor Declines Testifying on Cognitive Concerns

ASHLEY Biden has spoken out online for the first time, making a…
Moderna Vaccine Dangers: What You Should Know

Understanding the Risks Associated with the Moderna Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19…
Woman with 'urgent message' for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

Woman Arrested Near Mar-a-Lago Security for Trying to Deliver Message to President Trump

A woman was taken into custody after she approached Mar-a-Lago, claiming she…
Randy Couture, UFC Hall of Famer, hospitalized after racing crash

UFC Legend Randy Couture Hospitalized Following Racing Accident

The 62-year-old UFC Hall of Famer has been working to make his…